Pozek Group | March 28, 2026 | Moving to Orlando

Moving to Orlando: Real Costs and Honest Advice

TL;DR

  • Orlando's metro population hit 2.96 million in 2025, with the region adding roughly 76,000 new residents in 2024 alone at a 2.7% annual growth rate
  • The median home price across the metro sits at $375,000 as of February 2026, though neighborhoods range from $391,000 in Apopka to $780,000 in Lake Nona
  • Florida has zero state income tax, and Orlando's overall cost of living runs about 4.5% below the national average
  • Long-distance moving costs from the Northeast to Orlando typically land between $2,900 and $6,100 for a three-bedroom home
  • Walt Disney World (80,000 employees), AdventHealth (40,000), and Universal Orlando…

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Pozek Group · March 27, 2026 · Orlando Home Buying Guide

Buying a House in Orlando: Timeline, Costs, and Pitfalls

Key Takeaways

  • The median sale price in Orlando hit $377K in February 2026, down 8.3% year-over-year, giving buyers more room to negotiate than at any point since 2015
  • Most financed purchases close in 30-45 days from accepted offer, but pre-approval delays are the top reason timelines slip past that window
  • Orange County offers up to $70,000 in down payment assistance for qualifying buyers through its forgivable loan program
  • Buyer closing costs in Orange County typically land between 2-3% of the purchase price; on a $377K home, budget $7,500 to $11,300 beyond your down payment
  • Florida contracts include a standard…

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By Ken Pozek · March 26, 2026 · Orlando Neighborhoods

Best Neighborhoods in Orlando: Ranked by Price & Lifestyle

Quick Summary

  • Baldwin Park leads Orlando in year-over-year appreciation at +11.8% with a median price of $878K and a 2.5-mile lake trail system (Redfin, Jan 2026)
  • South Eola and Thornton Park hold Orlando's top walkability ratings at Walk Score 91 and 85, with dining and parks accessible on foot
  • Winter Park's $480K median sale price (Zillow, Jan 2026) offers more value per dollar than most buyers expect given the area's restaurant and arts scene
  • Lake Nona had a 380-acre development district approved by city commissioners in March 2026, signaling continued long-term growth
  • Horizon West delivers new construction…

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Pozek Group | March 25, 2026 | Orlando Neighborhoods

Best Places to Live in Orlando: Ranked by Price and Lifestyle

Key Takeaways

  • Orlando metro population hit 2.94 million in 2024, growing 2.7% year over year, the fastest rate among the 30 largest U.S. metros
  • Median home prices range from $378K in the city core to $750K+ in Windermere and Baldwin Park
  • South Eola scores 91 on Walk Score, the highest in Central Florida, while suburban picks like Winter Garden and Lake Nona offer newer inventory under $600K
  • Horizon West is the new construction epicenter, with builder incentives keeping prices competitive between $400K and $600K
  • Orlando employers added 14,600 healthcare and tourism jobs in 2025, with projected 1.3% employment…

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By Ken PozekPozek Group March 23, 2026 11 min read

Seller Closing Costs in Florida 2026: Fee by Fee

The Short Version

  • Florida sellers typically pay 8% to 9.5% of the sale price in total closing costs, including commissions
  • On a $400,000 Orlando home, that translates to roughly $32,000 to $38,000 out of your proceeds
  • Documentary stamp tax alone runs $2,800 at $0.70 per $100 of sale price
  • Owner's title insurance on a $400K sale is $2,075 (Florida promulgated rate, non-negotiable)
  • Real estate commissions average 5.5% statewide, though post-NAR settlement rules give sellers more flexibility
  • Property tax prorations, HOA payoffs, and municipal lien searches add $500 to $2,000 depending on your community
  • Talk to Pozek Group to…

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By Ken Pozek · Pozek Group · March 20, 2026 · 12 min read

Property Tax Orlando FL 2026: Rates by Neighborhood

Quick Takeaways

  • Orange County combined millage rates range from about 15.5 mills in Windermere to over 19 mills in parts of the City of Orlando, so location determines your bill more than any other factor.
  • A new buyer on a $400,000 home in the City of Orlando with a homestead exemption should budget roughly $6,400 to $6,500 per year for the first year.
  • The homestead exemption removes up to $50,000 (up to $51,411 for 2026 with the inflation adjustment) from your assessed value, saving most homeowners $800 to $1,000 annually.
  • Save Our Homes caps your annual assessed value increase at 3%, which is why long-term owners pay…

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By Ken Pozek · Pozek Group · March 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Homestead Exemption Florida

TL;DR: Homestead Exemption Florida

  • Florida homestead exemption reduces your taxable value by up to $50,000, saving most Orlando homeowners $750 to $1,000 per year in property taxes
  • You must own the property and live in it as your primary residence on January 1 of the tax year you are applying for
  • The deadline to file is March 1 each year with your county property appraiser
  • The Save Our Homes cap limits annual assessed value increases to 3% or the CPI change, whichever is lower, building major long-term savings
  • Portability lets you transfer up to $500,000 of your accumulated Save Our Homes benefit to a new Florida home when you move
  • …

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By Ken Pozek | March 17, 2026 | Orlando Luxury Real Estate

Most Expensive Homes in Orlando: Where Luxury Meets Location

Mediterranean estate in Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort, one of the most expensive homes in Orlando

Quick Takeaways

  • Golden Oak at Walt Disney World claimed 8 of the top 10 most expensive home sales in Central Florida in 2025
  • The highest recorded sale in 2025 was $23 million at 10018 Enchanted Oaks Dr. in Golden Oak
  • The same Orlando-based team listed two of the top 10 sales in 2025 and currently holds the #1 sale of 2026
  • The average sale price in Golden Oak sits near $10.7 million with only about 300 total homes in the community
  • Isleworth, Reunion Resort, and Winter Park round out Central Florida's luxury tier outside Golden Oak
  • The Four Seasons Private Residences tower completed in late 2025,…

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